Ziobrowski puts down lines on the football field.

What can a groundskeeper say after a summer of thunder, lightning and seemingly endless showers?

"It is what it is," said Joe Ziobrowski, groundskeeper for the Mohonasen schools, located in the Schenectady suburb of Rotterdam. "If I can stay on top of it, it looks nice."

Vice president of the Mohonasen Support Staff Association, Ziobrowski is the main man when it comes to preparing Mohonasen High School fields for the onslaught of wear and tear from the district's modified, freshman, JV and varsity teams. He works closely with Nick Fiore, another MSSA member.

In the fall, the fields see plenty of action from the boys and girls soccer, football and the school's award-winning marching band programs. Baseball and softball dominate the spring. All need quality practice areas that often do double duty as the teams' playing field.

Ziobrowski, a Siena College graduate and four-year varsity pitcher, loves the challenges of working outside because, like many SRPs, his work is never done.

"I try to stay a season ahead," he explained. "Once the full fall season is rolling, I start to get ready for the spring."